Undefeated and Unfinished: Hoosiers Hit the Bye Week at 11–0 With Clear Strengths, Real Concerns, and Everything Still on the Table

BY: Shannon Griffith Lead Football Analysts THEHOOSIER.COM

Indiana heads into the bye week at a perfect 11–0, ranked No. 2 nationally, and on the brink of cementing a place in program history. With two weeks to prepare for the rivalry showdown against Purdue — and then a likely trip to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship — the Hoosiers are exactly where every player, coach, and fan dreamed they could be.

But even at 11–0, the path hasn’t been flawless. The last month has exposed real issues on offense, particularly in the run game and along the offensive line. The defense continues to carry the load, the passing game survives through grit and big-play talent, and Indiana keeps finding ways to win.

The bye week couldn’t come at a better time, allowing coaches and players to self-scout, heal & rest their bodies. Additionally, it provides an opportunity to add some recruiting into the mix, as the portal only has one window, from January 2nd through the 16th.  

Here’s the full picture of IU’s undefeated season to date — the good, the bad, and the struggles that must be addressed before the stretch run.

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🔥 THE GOOD — A Defense Playing Like a Championship Unit

If Indiana reaches the College Football Playoff, the defense will be the biggest reason why. This unit has been dominant, consistent, and downright punishing at all three levels.

Elite Against the Run

For most of the year, Indiana’s defense has been suffocating. Opponents have found little room between the tackles, and IU’s front seven has consistently controlled early downs.

Havoc Creation at a High Level

Whether it’s Devan Boykin forcing turnovers, D’Angelo Ponds locking down vertical routes, or the linebackers blowing up plays in the backfield, IU has consistently flipped momentum and seized control of games. Plus, the productivity of the Defensive line has been outstanding.

Situational Mastery

Red zone stops, third-down defense, two-minute execution, Turnover ratio— Indiana excels in every situational category that separates good defenses from elite ones.

This group isn’t just good enough to win the Big Ten, it’s good enough to win in January.

📉 THE BAD — Offensive Inconsistency & The Wisconsin Reality Check

Despite the 11–0 record, the offense has lost its rhythm — especially in the ground game. The games against stout defensive front sevens, such as Penn State, Wisconsin, Oregon, Michigan State, and Iowa, were clear warning signs.  Indiana rushed for an average of only 107.6 yards in those games, well under their seasonal average of 231.6 yards through ten games.

Run Game Stalls Out Again

Indiana mustered only 83 rushing yards against the Badgers, continuing a month-long trend of inefficiency. Lane discipline, backside cutoffs, penetration, and run fits have been inconsistent, and the IU offense has struggled to establish an early-down flow.

Protection Breakdowns

IU gave up five sacks to Wisconsin, with three attributed to Mendoza holding onto the ball too long instead of throwing it away. Add six tackles for loss, and the Hoosiers were constantly behind the chains.

The Drew Evans Injury Has Been Significant

Since Left Guard Drew Evans was injured in the Michigan State game, Indiana’s offensive line has not been the same. Evans was one of IU’s highest-graded linemen, and the interior has struggled to hold ground without him. His absence has affected combo blocks, slide protections, and the timing of zone concepts.

The tape shows a unit that is battling — but clearly missing a stabilizing presence inside.

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🚑 THE STRUGGLES — WR Injuries, Offensive Identity & Mendoza’s Burden

Sarratt Out, Cooper & Becker Ready

Indiana has been without explosive playmaker Elijah Sarratt for two weeks, but Omar Cooper Jr. and Charlie Becker have elevated their roles in his absence. Cooper has been Mendoza’s go-to target on crucial downs, while Becker provides vertical and seam-stretching ability.

Mendoza Stunning in Production, But Pressing Too Hard

Despite the pressure issues, Fernando Mendoza still finished the Wisconsin game with 299 yards passing and two touchdown throws. He continues to show toughness and competitiveness, but the film reveals that sometimes he is extending plays too long, forcing time in the pocket, and taking avoidable sacks.  These are some of the areas Fernando needs to continue working on, as Cignitti has discussed.

He is leading. He is producing.

He wants the ball in his hands at the critical times in the game, which is precisely what any coach would want from his QB.

🧩 SCHEME ANALYSIS — Does Indiana Need More Creativity in the Run Game?

This is the most important question heading into Purdue.

Indiana Is Built on Zone Concepts

The Hoosiers heavily rely on inside and outside zone schemes in the run game. When defensive lines flow or move laterally, zone works beautifully.

However, against defensive fronts that play penetration-style, zone schemes tend to struggle.

The issues are clear:

• Penetration disrupts zone blocking

• Linebackers trigger downhill and chase from the backside

• Cutback lanes never fully develop

Is the Run Game Too Simple?

At times, yes.  IU has run the ball effectively when leverage, timing, and flow are correct — but the scheme could use more constraints and variety:

• Power

• Counter

• Pin-and-pull

• Motion-triggered variants

• Read elements

Indiana doesn’t need to overhaul the offense.  It just needs enough creativity to keep defenses honest.

Could Up-Tempo Help Spark the Offense?

Absolutely.

IU has run far less no-huddle/up-tempo this year than expected.

Tempo could:

• Simplify defensive fronts

• Prevent exotic pressures

• Get the OL into a rhythm

• Freeze linebackers

• Help Mendoza generate quicker reads

• Provide spark and unpredictability

Just a few tempo series per half could change the complexion of the offense.

🧭 BIG PICTURE — 11–0, No. 2 in the Nation, and Still Improving

The Hoosiers are undefeated.  They’ve navigated every test.  And they enter the most important two-week stretch in program history fully in control of their destiny.  

Everything Indiana wants is still in front of them:

• A perfect regular season

• A rivalry win over Purdue

• A Big Ten Championship appearance

• A College Football Playoff berth

• A chance to shock the college football world

This team has the defense.

This team has the toughness.

And this team has the QB to win big games.

If the offense can find even modest improvement in the run game and protection, Indiana becomes an even more dangerous matchup.

🔚 FINAL THOUGHT

At 11–0, Indiana has proven it can win ugly, win gritty, and win with defense. The bye week offers a golden opportunity to fix the issues that have surfaced over the last month — because the toughest, most meaningful football is still ahead.  Coach Cignetti and Offensive Coordinator Mike Shanahan are too astute as football coaches not to understand and recognize what is on film, and this is why a fresh week of not preparing for a game will benefit not just the offense, but the defensive side of the ball as well.  Remember the Cignettism’s ‘Never Satisfied,’ and you’re either getting better or worse; you never remain the same!  Hungry and humble as Coach Cignetti is preaching, as this team pushes to capture history.

With the Old Oaken Bucket and Big Ten Championship games in sight and a possible match-up with #1 Ohio State, the Hoosiers are built to finish the job. And head into the College Football Playoff Championship ranked #1. 

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